Automatic counting and tabbing machine for presses



AUTOMATIC COUNTING AND TABBING MACHINE FOR PRESSES Filed May 2, 1950 Jan. 19, 1954. J. R. LAUFFER 5 Sheets-Sheet l m R F 5 m H mAq mL m R M m. m

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 106 UP 56 up how 100 up I UP 500 DOWN 1 1 INVENTOR. JACOB R. LAUFFER BY TTOEN Jan. 19, 1954 J. R. LAUFFER AUTOMATIC COUNTING AND TABBING MACHINE FOR PRESSES Filed May 2, 1950 1954 J. R. LAUFFER 2,666,372

AUTOMATIC COUNTING AND TABBING MACHINE FOR PRESSES Filed May 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i .1 E. T 8 7 81 IIIIIIIIM L- I 8105 a. i 860. g I06 I;

5 7 102 5 103 8 0 T V 7 INVENTOR.

JACOB RLAUFPER A TTORNEYS 1954 J. R. LAUFFER 2,666,372 v AUTOMATIC COUNTING AND TABBING MACHI E FOR PRESSES Filed May 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BYJAC OB RLAUFFER Patented Jan. 19, 1954 9 AUTOMATIC COUNTING AND TABBING MACHINE FOR PRESSES Jacob R. Lauifer, Valley Stream, N. Y., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Hills-McCanna Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 2, 1950, Serial No. 159,469

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to automatic counting and tabbing mechanism for use with printing presses or other sheet handling machines to count and tab automatically predetermined numbers of sheet delivered to a pile at a reception point from a press or other machine handling sheet-.like material, each tab being left on the uppermost sheet of a determined count of sheets delivered to the pile and remaining in overhanging position along an edge of the pile for ready physical and visual indication of the counted sheets.

Manual counting and tabbing of sheets delivered to a pile from a printing press has been the almost universal practice up to the present time. This manual as well as time wasting prac tice has often been inaccurate and has materially increased printing costs as well as providing other material disadvantages such as spoilage due to offset of manually handled freshly printed sheets. Principal features and objects of this invention are, the provision of portable automatic counting and tabbing means applicable readily to printing presses extant without modification thereof, to provide automatic counting and tabbing of printed sheets delivered by the press to a receiving pile at a reception point.

Other objects and features of the invention are the provision of portable mechanism which may be moved from press to press as the occa- 1,"

sion arises, requiring simply the plugging in of an electric cable connector at each press between the latter and the portable mechanism of this invention.

Further objects and features of the invention are the provision of absolutely accurate. automatic counting and tabbing mechanism that will eliminate manual counting and handling of freshly printed sheets, thereby cuttingdown'the danger of oifset and spoilage and further the provision of mechanism applicable to presses irrespective of their size or speed of operation.

'f'Other' objects and novel features of the inven-- tion will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation illustrating association of the counting mechanism with the delivery pile of a printing press; r I

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partially in section of the tab-feeding and cutting-01f mechanism embodied in the invention;

Fig. Fig. l illustrating thetab tape supply roll coin struction associated with the invention;

3 is a section taken along line 3- 3 of Fig. 4 is'a front elevation, partially in section of the mechanism of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '6 is a verticaltransverse section taken along line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 11 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a front side elevation, partially in section of the timing control mechanism associated with the device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal ection taken along .line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a rear side elevation of the timing control mechanism;

Fig. 11 is 'a bottom plan view of the timing control mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken along line 12-42 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a vertical elevation taken along line l3-l3 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a vertical elevation taken along line [4-44 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of one of the electric switch control discs of the timing control mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a similar elevation of a second one of the electric switch control discs of the timing control mechanism; and

Fig. 17 is a schematic showing of the electrical circuits interconnecting the timing contro mechanism and the mechanism of Fig. 2. I

Referring to the drawing and first to Fig. .1, the delivery end of the printing press R is shown delivering sheets of printed paper to the pile l? on the vertically movable receiving platform S where, heretofore, they have been counted by hand and had. appropriate marking tabs insertedj after a determined count of fifty or one hundred or more sheets delivered thereto. A tab feeder and insert er mechanism constituting a portion of the present invention and denoted generally by the reference character F is shown positioned to one side of the pile P. This feeder contains operating mechanism to be described,

' motivated electrically in response to operations on a timing control mechanism 0 connected electri'cally to the press R. and is adapted to feed marking or tallying tabs T automatically into the pile P at the completion of determined counts of sheets delivered from the press to the pile; P. In the embodiment shown, the tabs have been fed to .the pile at each fifty sheet delivery thereto,- each tab having been the uppermost sheet of a fifty sheet-count and inserted on covered by the succeeding sheets with an overhanging portion leaving a visual tab indicator T of each fifty sheet count.

Tab feeder and cut 017 mechanism and is illustrated in detail in Figs. 2-7 inclusive.

Referring to these figures, a tubular stand H having a base l2, telescopically and 'adjustably supports a vertically movable post I3. A lateral stub shaft i4 is secured to the stand I I, for example, by a threaded bolt l5. A roll is of relatively stiff marker tab material {6d such as Bristol board or the like in strip form wound on a spool I1 is supported on the shaft l4 between the washers IS, the inner one of which bears against the friction ring i9, and the outer one of which is retained in place by-the cotter pin 20'. Other conventional means for demountably supporting the spool I? may beutilized, that shown being merely exemplary. One side face of the roll I6 is gummed at G so that theroll IE will not unroll by itself. This gumming also aids in regulating the length of the tab fed from theroll. Other equivalent braking means for the roll may be used. 1

A frame 20 is horizontally supported by the post I3. This frame 20 includes a base portion 2! (Figs. 4, and 6) and two spaced-apart upright flanges 22 and 23. A tapefeeding roller 24 provided with a friction surfacing 25 of rubber or the like is supported between the flanges 22 and 23 by a shaft 26 rotatively journaled therein. A yoke 21 is pivotally supported by a pivot pin 28 between the flanges 22 and 2?... This yoke 21, in turn, carries between its spaced arms 21a a second tape feeding roller 29 provided with a friction surface 30 of rubber or the like, said roller 29 being secured to the shaft 31 rotatively journaled in the arms 21a of the yoke. The yoke 21 and consequently roller 29 and its surface 38 are biased toward the surface 25 of the roller 24 by gravity or in other ways. Meshing gears 33, 34 secured respectively on the shafts 26 and 3| provide driven rotation of shaft 3| and its roller 29 when roller 24 is driven as will be described.

A horizontally extending guide platform 36 is secured at 31 to the flanges 22 and 23, its upper surface being alined substantiallywith the bite between roller surfaces 25 and 39. The upper surface of the platform 36 is covered by a substantially U -shaped cover plate 38 which is spaced apart from the upper surface of the platform 36 to define a guide channel 39 for the tab strip lfia. A guide pulley 40 is rotatively supported on a spindle 4| extending laterally of the platform in a cut-away portion 290. of the latter. The tab strip material I60. from the roll 18 thereof is threaded around guide pulley 49, and then through the bite between friction surfaces and of the rollers 24 and 29 and thereafter through the guide channel 39 to and beyond the forward end of the platform 36.

At the forward end of platform 36, a cut-off knife 43 is mounted so as adapted to be swingable transversely thereof to periodically sever tape or tab strip material lBa extending beyond said end. This knife 43 is secured at 44 to the end of a horizontally extending shaft 45 (Fig.

2). Shaft 45 is rotatively supported in guides 46 extending laterally of the platform 36. A biasing spring 4! positioned between a collar 48 fixed on the shaft 45 and one of the guides 45 biases the knife 43 toward the outer or delivery end of platform 36 to insure clean severance of the leading portion of tape strip 16a whenever knif 43 is swung in a cutting stroke by mechanism presently to be described.

The feeding roller 24 is rotated intermittently at determined time intervals in a feeding direction (counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 5) and because of meshing gears 33 and 34, the feeding roller 29 is simultaneously rotated (clockwise as seen in Fig. 5) so that the tape l6a gripped in the bite between friction surfaces 25 and 30 is advanced beyond the forward edge of the platform 35 a predetermined amount each time roller 24 is rotated.

The mechanism for intermittently rotating the roller 24 in a feeding direction comprises a solenoid coil 48 and plunger 49 adapted to be drawn into solenoid coil when electric energizing power is supplied to the latter as will be described. The solenoid coil 48 is supported in a core frame 50 secured to the base 2| at 5| so that the plunger 49 is movable horizontally in the longitudinal direction of said base 21. A sprocket wheel 52 (Fig. 6) is rotatively secured at 59 to a reduced portion 25a of the shaft 26. A ratchet wheel 54 is fixedly mounted on the projecting bearing 55 of the sprocket wheel 52. This ratchet wheel 54 lies in a circular recess 56 provided in the outer side face of a wheel 57 secured to the shaft 25. Loose pins 58 are inserted in the recess 56 one in each space defined by a ratchet tooth 54a of the ratchet wheel 54 and the inner wall of recess 55. The pins are held in place by a snap-on cap 59. A sprocket chain 89 is mounted on the sprocket wheel 52 and one end is pivotally secured to a link 6! pivoted at 6m to the crosshead 49a of the solenoid plunger 49. The other end of chain 69 is secured to one end of a tension spring 62 whose opposite end is secured to a post 53 secured in turn to the base 2|. The tension of spring 62 biases the solenoid plunger 49 in a withdrawn position relative to coil 48 and into the position shown in Fig. 4. When the solenoid coil 48 is energized by electric current, plunger 49 is drawn inwardly (toward the right of Fig. 4) against the biasing action of spring 62 on chain 69. This movement of plunger 49 draws the chain 60 around sprocket wheel 52, rotating the latter and with it ratchet wheel 54. The inclined planes of the ratchet teeth 54a then wedge the pins 58 against the inner wall of recess 56 and clutch couple wheel 51 to ratchet wheel 54 causing driven rotation thereof and of roller 24 in feeding direction (counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 4). Simultaneously, because of the mesh between gears 33 and 34, roller 29 is also driven (clockwise as seen in Fig. 4). The forward end of tape between friction surfaces 25 and 34 is thus fed beyond the forward edge of platforrm 36 a determined distance. Deenergization of solenoid 48 causes spring 62 to retract the plunger to its initial position. The pins 53 at this time move onto lower portions of the inclined planes of the ratchet teeth 54a and become uncoupled by disengaging the inner wall of the recess 55 so that no rotation is imparted to rollers 24 and 29 during the return stroke of the plunger 49. Thus an effective one-way clutch coupling and one-way feed for the rollers 24 and 29 is effected. Since energization and deenergization of the solenoid coil 48 is effected at timed intervals and is cyclic, the feed of tape (6a forwardly by rollers 24 and 28 likewise occurs at timed intervals.

The-knife isalsov adapted to be rotated at timed intervals in a cutting direction from its inoperative position (as-seen in Figs. .4 .and) to .a cutting position, (as seen in Fig. 2) and then returned to its inoperative position. To this end, a solenoid coil is supported byits core frame 61 at 68 from the base 21' is provided. This coil has a solenoid plunger B9movable horizontally and transversely of the longitudinal direction of the platform 35. A crank lfl is secured at one end II to the shaft 45. Adjacent its opposite end, crank I0 has a longitudinal slot $2 in which pivot pin-s 73 extending laterally from the forked ends 6% of the solenoid plunger 69 engage. The plunger 69 is suitably biased to outward :position relative to coil 56 (as seen in Fig. 7). In this position, the shaft -45 and knife 43 are in inoperative position of the latter and knife 43 is clear .ofthe outer end of platform 36. Energize.- tion of coil -56 draws plunger 89 inwardly of the coil (to the left as seen in Fig. 7,) rotating crank 10 .and with it shaft .45 and knife 43 to a cutting off position to sever the tape lea projecting beyond the forward edge of platform 3G.

The operations effected by the two solenoid coils 48 and '66 upon energization in timed sequence is first a forward feed of the tape I6a upon energization of coil 48 to project the tape 16a beyond the forward .edge of platform 36, and subsequent thereto, upon energization of coil :36 While coil .48 is deenergized to effect a cutting operation on tape It by .knife 13, and thereafter deenergization .of' coil 66 to permit knife 43 to return to its initial inoperative position clear of the path of the tape at the end of the platform 36,. The two coils are separately energized from Separate electric, circuits to be described and neither is energized at the same time as the other.

Timing control mechanism Sequential and timed operation of the feedrollers v24, 29 and-knife by appropriate energizationand deenergization of the solenoid coils 48 and 66 is effected by a detachable timing control mechanism C which is readily attachable to theprinting machine Rand electrically interconnected by multiple cable with the coils48 and 66; In the embodiment shown, the timing control mechanism Ccomprises generally, two pairs of. normally closed micrcswitches or equivalent switches 80, 81 and 82, 83, a pair ofuby-pass switches 84, 85 and mechanical parts for operating the four microswitches in a sequential mannor to be described. While microswitches are described as used any other type of equivalent switchmay be used and the term microswitch'es as used hereinis intended to include such equivalent swit he shaft 85 (Fig. .13) is rotatively Supported in bearings 36c at opposite side walls 81,388 of a casing. This shaft 85' carries a worm- 89. fixed thereto. outwardly of wall-87, a switch operating disc 90 is secured to rotate with shaft 86. The two switches 89, 8! are attachedto the side 81 of the box so that their respective operating levers 80a and 81a engage the periphery of disc 99 at different points. The diameter of disc 99 is such that this engagement of thelevers 89a and Blu maintains open circuit in each normally closed switch 80 and BI. A single notch or recess 99a (Fig. 12) is'provided in the periphery of discali and the depthof thiS notch or recess 99a is such that when aimed-with either one of. the two switch levers-alluand .8 lciit permits that one, of the two switches v8.0 or BI tomove to a circuit closing position. Thus with each complete rotation of disc .90 each switch is closed once only while the notch or recess 90a .is alined with its operating lever and maintained open during the remainder of the period of rotation of disc 90. Switch 8| is closed only after a 180 of :rotation of disc 90 from the closing position of switch 80. I

A ratchet wheel 9| is fixed to the shaft 86. A pawl 92 engaging the teeth of Wheel '91 and pivotally secured at 93 to the wall .8! of the casing and "biased by a spring 94 pemits one-way rotation only of ratchet wheel 9|. Step-by-step one- .way rotation of wheel :9I (counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 114;) is effected by a reciprocally move able lever '95 engageable successively with the teeth .of wheel 9-1. This lever is loosely pivoted at 95 to a bracket part 9'! secured to the Wall 88. A shackle link 98 pivoted loosely to the lever 95 intermediate its ends is pivotally secured at .99 to a reciprocally movable solenoid plunger 10!) movable vertically into and out of a solenoid coil I9I carried in a core frame I92 secured at I93 to another side wall I 94 .of the casing. I A biasing spring I 95 attached at one end to the leverj95 and at its opposite end to a stud I116 mounted on wall 91 biases the lever 95 toward feeding engagement with the successive teeth of ratchet wheel 9|. Energization of solenoid coil It?! draws .plunger I99 downwardly and with it rotates lever '95 downwardly about its pivot 95 against the biasing action of spring I 05. De energization of coil Itl releases plunger I 99 and the retracting action of spring I05 then draws lever 95 upwardly against a straight side of a tooth 92a of ratchet wheel BI, the stroke of plunger I09 being limited so that the retracting action of spring I05 causes a single tooth ad vance of wheel 9| each time the coil HlI is energized and deenergized once. The laterally located limit stud I GET fixed to wall I84 of the casing prevents excessive side motion of the lever 95 during its upward feeding stroke and limits feed rotation of wheel 9| to a single tooth at a time.

Thus step-by-step rotation of shaft '86 is effected. In the present embodiment, fifty teeth 9m are provided on the ratchet wheel 9'I so that fifty complete reciprocations of lever 95 are required to complete asingle revolution of ratchet wheel 9] and with it shaft 86.

A sec nd shaft I09 is rotatively supported in bearings vIll9a at opposite side wall I04 and I ID of the casing. A worm gear I II which meshes with the worm 8.9 is secured to the shaft I99 and the gear ratio of the worm and worm gear is se lected so that ten revolutions of. the worm causes one complete revoluti n of w rm gear .I ll. Th s. since ratchet Wheel e1 requires fifty 'reciproca'f tions of lever 95 for one revolution, five hundred reciprocations of lever 9,5 are required to produce a single revolution of worm gear I I I and its sup; porting shaft I99.

A pair of Switch operating discs H2, us are secured to the shaft I99 outwardly of the wall I I0. Disc 112 has ive equally spaced-apart notches or recesses I14 in its periphery 72 apart. Disc H3 has a single refifiss or notch II 5 in its pe-' riphery. The notch N5 of disc H3 is positioned to be centralized relative to two notches II .4 ,of

disc IIZ as seen clearly in Figs. ,15 and 1 6. .The

pair of microswitches 32 and 93 are secured to the side wall H9 so that their operating levers 82c and- 3 r s ct el en a e the peripheries I I3. lever 8211 o en of the respective discs H2.

ating on the periphery of inner five notched disc I I2 and lever 83a on the periphery of outer single notched disc H3. Except when one of the notches I I4 lies alined with lever 82a or the notch H5 lies alined with lever 83a, both switches 82 and 83 are maintained in open circuit condition by surface engagement of discs H2 and H3, respectively, with levers 82a and 83a. Thus, in a single rotation of shaft I09, switch 82 will close five times while switch 83 will close but once. The relative position of the notch 90a of the disc 90 on shaft 86 and of the notches H4 and H5 on discs I I2 and I I3 on shaft I09 is such that the notch 80a of disc 80 will lie alined with lever 80a of switch 80 at the same time notch H5 lies alined with switch lever 83a of switch 83 and one of the notches H4 lies alined with switch lever 82a of switch 82 for purposes presently to be described.

Electric circuit The four microswitches 80, 8|, 82 and 83 are connected in electric circuits to provide properly timed energization of the feed solenoid coil 48 and cutter solenoid coil 68. In the embodiment shown, as illustrated diagrammaticall in Fig. 1'7, a terminal prong I20 in a connector block B is connected by a wire I2I to the fixed contact I22 of the microswitch 80 and also by wire I23 to the movable contact I24 of the microswitch 8|. The movable contact I25 of microswitch 80 is connected by a wire I28 to the movable contact I2! of microswitch 83 and also by wire I28 to the fixed contact I29 of the by-pass switch 85. The movable contact I30 of the by-pass switch 85 is connected by wire I3I to the fixed contact I32 of by-pass switch 84 and by wire I33 to the movable contact I34 of microswitch 82. The latter contact I34 is also connected by wire I35 to the stationary contact I36 of microswitch 83. The stationary contact I31 of microswitch 82 is connected by wire I38 to the movable contact I39 of by-pass switch 84 and by wire I40 to a prong I4I of the block B. One terminal of the feed solenoid 48 is connected by wire- I42 to the prong socket M21! in the connector block F. The second terminal of solenoid 48 is connected by wire I43 to one terminal of the cutting solenoid coil 66 whose other terminal is connected by wire I44 to the prong socket I45 which mates with a prong terminal I43 in block B. Prong I46 is connected by wire I41 to the fixed contact I48 of microswitch 8I. Wire I43 is connected by wire I48 to a terminal I of a power source M. Wire MM is connected to a prong socket I50 and to one terminal of a normally open microswitch I52. The other terminal I53 of switch I52 is connected by wire I54 to one terminal of a normally closed manually operable switch N whose other terminal is connected by wire I54a to one terminal I of the power source M. The switch N may be opened at will by the operator to compensate for sheets withdrawn during counting for inspection or other purposes. A prong I55 of the block B which mate with prong socket I50 is connected by a wire I56 with one terminal of the ratchet wheel operating solenoid coil IOI whose other terminal is connected by a wire I51 with the wire I2I. A prong socket I58 which mates with prong I20 is connected by wire I58 with the second terminal 2 of the power source M.

The normally open microswitch I52 is secured to the press R adjacent an arm I60 or other'movin'g: part thereof which moves to a given position once for each sheet delivered to the pile P. The operating lever I52a of the switch I52 is positioned in proximity to the given position of arm I60. This arm once during each delivery of a sheet to pile P momentarily engages and operates member I52a to close an electrical circuit through the switch I52 for a purpose to be described. Except when arm I engages switch lever I52a, the switch I52 remains open. Switch I52 and arm I60 may be replaced by any other circuit closing arrangement, for example, an electric eye arrangement that will close the circuit from terminal I of the power source to wire I49a once for each delivery of a sheet by the press to the pile P. Switch I52 and arm I60 and wires to be described are the only physical end electrical connection needed between the press R and the portable mechanism.

For convenience, the casing supporting the microswitches 80, BI, 82, 83 is attached to the press. When this is done, the switch I52 can be secured to the casing supporting the other microswitches 80, 8|, 82 and 83 and the latter secured to the pres so that operating lever I52a of switch I52 will lie in needed and above described proximity to arm I60 of the press R.

Operation (fifty count) Assuming a condition where no sheets are present on the platform S, the by-pass switches 84 and 85 both close, thus short circuiting out microswitches 82 and 83, microswitches 80, 8|, 82 and 83 all being open with the notch on switch control disc just beyond and clear of the operating arm 80a of switch 80 in the direction of rotation of said disc 90 and the notch H5 of disc II3 just beyond and clear of operating arm 83a of switch 83 and one of the notches H4 of disc H2 just beyond and clear of the operating arm. 82a of switch 82, and arm I60 clear of the notch lever I52a of microswitch I52 on the press so that microswitch I52 is open; and that prongs of the block R are inserted into the mating prong sockets on the female connector F and that wires I54 and I59 are connected to the respective terminals I and 2 of the power source M. At this time, the knife 43 is in inoperative condition and tape feed rollers 24 and 28 are stationary.

When a sheet is delivered to press pile P, the

I arm I80 moves to the switch closing position of microswitch I52. Electric current then flows from the terminal I of power source M via wire I54, switch contacts I53 and I5I of the switch I52, wire I49, a prong socket I50, prong I55, wire I56, through coil IOI, wire I51, wire I2I, prong I20, prong socket I58 and wire I58 to the terminal 2 of the power source M. This energizes coil IOI and draws in its plunger I00 thereby drawing lever away from the teeth of ratchetwheel 9| against the action of spring I85. For the next fifty delivery sheets to the pile, the arm or lever I60, closes switch I52 momentarily once during each delivery operation. Each such switch closing momentarily energizes solenoid coil IOI and during each such energization arm 95 is drawn away from ratchet wheel 9|. As soon as switch I52 opens as arm I60 moves away from switch lever I52, the coil IOI is deenergized and feeding arm 95 is drawn upwardly by spring I05 to advance ratchet wheel 9I one tooth am. In fifty deliveries of sheets to the pile P, ratchet wheel 9| is advanced fifty teeth or one complete revolution with one corresponding complete revolution of shaft 86 and with it switch control disc 90. Just as disc 90 completes its single revolution, its notch 90a becomes alined with switch solenoidcoil fiflwire I 44; prong socket;

lever 80c soathat'm'icroswitch 8t closes'i At the same time because of the one to; ten ratio between worm 8'9 and wo'ring'ear H l-, the latter, its shaft l [lfarid discs- H 2 and H3 coinpletesonly one-t'enth-of a 'revolution so thatnone of the notches- H4 or H5 are then alined with switch lever 82d or: 83:1 Since both these switches? and '83- are' shortci'rcuited out or lay-passed" by closed switches 84 aiid BS- this} is immaterial; However; because Switch 80 has been closed eie'c tric' current fio'ws from: the terminal- I: otpower source-M via wire Mil, wire M3, through feeds'o'l'enoi'd coil 48, wire 142, prong socket" i em, prong. glfll wire 1'46, terminals" -l3s an'd N2 of closed by-pass switchl 84,1wire 131 terminals 13c and: |29of closed by=passsWitch 8-5 wire- 1 23, terminal I21 of microswitch E3, wire .rz-e, closed contacts 25' and I221 of closed: microswitch 4st,. wirelzl', prong-L I20, prong: socket lesand -wire [59 to? the" terminal v 2 ofjpower sourceMi This energizes feed solenoid ccil dflldrawingits plunger in a feeding stroke to-pull' chain 69: against the action of its springs 62 andthereby rotatefeed roller 24' in anfeedingi direction',..and zsimultane ously throughgears 3 3 and 34 also to: rotate feed roll 29" infeeding direction. This advancesitape- I'Ba forwardly over the fiftieth sheet the pile P. This same cycle repeats itself for every fifty operations of press arm I60, e.. g., one hundredth, one, hundred and fiftieth, two hundredth,. l etc. On' the fifty-firstoperation of arm-ltd, andaeach fifty revolutions thereafter the ratchet wheel 9|: is advanced onefiftietlr of a revolution caus'ing recess- '90ato become misalined withleveri 86a of switch- 88, opening the; latter switch and thus deenerg-izing solenoid coil 48- since its powerlcir cuit just described is broken:atthe-contacts I22, I25 of said microswitch 89; Spring 52' thenaretracts solenoid plunger 49, WlthOlll? further feed movement of rollers 24 and; 29 because of the one-wayc1utchi-54; 58, 5'! hereinbefore described; On the seventy-fifthoperationof press arm list; the ratc-het Wheel: 91 hasrotated the disc .90 and; its recess- Silaso that the latter isalined with switch operating lever 8hr- 0f: microswitch 8| permitting the latter to -close; lvlicroswitches 80,;82- and ll3 a-re open at this; time because their levers are n isalined with any' of; the-recesses 9011, H4 or I; With microswitch 8t closed; currentiiows frointheterminal I of the: power source M via wire l49,' wire" 43, throughout-on: l45-, prong M6,.- wire 141, contacts I48 and lid- 0f closed inicroswitchtl', wire1|2-l,.- prong. l; prong socket t5} and; wire 159 to theterminalz ofpower'source M. Solenoid coil- 66; thus; is energized and; actu ates its plunger 69 to operate knife 43 in a cutting direction severing the portion of the tape IBa deposited on top of theflftieth sheet fromthe tape onthe-platform 36 at the forirla rd"edge oft'he ne'er, leaving aprojectingtab- CR lying: on

the fiftieth sheet and projecting outwardly of the-pile P' at one side thereofas seen in Fig.- L,

This same circuit is established; every fifty fur-' ther operations of'press arml;68,-,namely,-. at the one hundred and twenty fifth, one hundred: and

seventy fifth, eta, operations of the latter.

, the seventyesixth operationotthe press arm each fifty operations thereafter, ratchet wheel H is rotated one fiftieth of a revolution, misalining disc recess; an with switch: lever; 811tcauSihg-rhicroswitch: M 110 openand to thus do; energize cutting/iofftsolenoid coil 66= so that knife 13; isrestored to its-'non cutting position by action otthe'biasing spring 14. r

: before described.

ingof ry-pass switch 84 places microswitch 82 in the electric circuit of feed solenoid coil 48' andinserieswith mi'croswitch 88. In consequenc'e feed solenoid coil 48 will not be ener-' gized 'unless botli microswitches and82 are closed simultaneously. Because recesses H 4 on" switch control disc H2 are 72f apart, and the gearing ratio between worm 89 and worm gear H l is one to-te'n, a" recess H 4 and thereces's- 90a will only become simultaneously al'ined with there'spectiveswitch levers 82a and 89a at each one hundred: operations of press arm [60 to then permit switches 82 and-'86 to-clo'sesimultaneously. For example, at the completion of the one hun'-'-v dredth operation of press arm IE9,- a-closed electric circuit from the" terminal I- ofsource M- is establishedvia Wire Mt, wire M3 through feedcoil 48, wire M2, prong socket 1 12a,- prong- I'M-,- Wire Mil, contact E39, wire F38; closed contacts I37, Hi l of microswitch 82 wire [33, wire (3|,

contacts E36; 129 of closed by pa'ss switch 85, Wire are, contact I27, wir'e E26, closed contacts I25, N2 of closed microswiten 80', wire 12-1 rong r20, prong socket I58, andwire 59totheterfninali of the power sourceM. Thus; solenoidc0il48- is energized for feeding at each one hundred operations of 'pressarm IBO as previously described. On the one'hundredan'd first operation of press arm Hit and each one hundred operations thereafter, the recess 86a moves to a position to open switch 8!] and thereby deenergize feed coil 48. As with the fifty count-operation; theknife 43' is operated tocut-off position on'the twenty-fifth, seventy-fifth; one hundred and twenty-fifth, etc., operations of press arm I65 and each fifty operations thereafter asherein- 7 It is only effective, however,- to cut off tape [6d at the one hundred and twenty-fifth and each one hundred operations thereafter because tape is fed" forwardly only at (3:51; hundred operation intervals of press arm Operation (five hundred count) are closedsimultaneously. Because there only" one recess li5' onswitch control disc H3, and the gearing ratio between-- worm 89 and worm gear III is one to ten, the recess-l ii on-dise I I3 and the recess-Wa chdisc 91! will only become alined simultaneously with the respective switch levers 83a and 89a at each five hundred operations of press arm I60 to then permit simultaneous closing of switches 83 and 80. For example, at the completion of the five hundredth operation of press arm I60 a closed electric circuit is established from the terminal I of source M via Wire I49, wire I43, through feed coil 48, wire Hi2, prong socket M211, prong MI, wire Hit, closed contacts I39, I32 of closed by-pass switch 84, wire I33, wire I35, closed contacts I36, I21 of closed microswitch 83, wire I25, closed contacts I25, I22 of closed microswitch en, wire I2 I prong I20, prong socket I58 and wire we to the terminal 2 of power source M. Thus, solenoid coil 48 is energized for feeding at each five hundredth operation of press arm I60 as previously described. On the five hundred and first operation and each five hundred operations thereafter of press arm 160, the recess 95a moves to a position to open switch 80 and thereby to deenergize feed coil 48. As with the fifty count operation, the knife 43 is operated to cut-ofi position on the twenty-fifth, seventy-fifth, etc., operation of press arm I68 and each fifty operations thereafter as hereinabove described. It is only eifective, however, to cut off tape Ifia at the one thousand and twenty-fifth and each five hundred operations thereafter, because tape is fed forwardly only at five hundred operation intervals of press arm I60.

The use of the three microswitches 8d, 82 and 83 and the two by-pass switches 84 and 35 thereby provides a simple adjustable means for varying the count of paper delivered to pile P. While fifty, one hundred and five hundred count operations are described, it is obvious that other count operations may be provided by changing the number of teeth on the ratchet wheel QI, or by.

changing the gear ratio between worm 83 and worm gear III and the number of recesses on disc II2. For example, with a one to five gear ratio, and with by-pass switch 85 open and with by-pass switch 84 closed, the count will be two hundred and fifty because shaft I09 and with it disc II3 will complete a single revolution for every two hundred and fifty operations of press arm I50. Other variations are also possible.

The construction hereinbefore described thus provides a portable device readily installed in connection with existing printing presses without any material modification thereof and which may be moved from press to press to provide automatic tallying count of determined numbers printed sheets, together with automatic insertion of visual tabs in the pile at the location of the final sheet of each determined count of delivered sheets in the pile. It eliminates entirely the tedious manual handling and manual counting heretofore practiced and the inaccuracies inherent in such manual procedure as well as dangers of offset and spoilage.

While the device is described in conjunction with sheets delivered from a printing press, it is obvious, however, that it may be utilized with any machine delivering sheet-like articles to a pile for similar purposes.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, variations in structural detail within the scope of the claims are possible and are contemplated. There is no intention, therefore, of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a machine arranged to pile sheets individually at a reception point and having a movable part whose movement is synchronized with the delivery of individual sheets to said point, an electric switch positioned relative to said movable part to be operated once for each sheet delivery movement of said part, a rotatable shaft, an electric circuit including said switch, a step by step electrically operated rotating mechanism connected in said circuit for rotating said shaft one step each time said step by step mechanism is actuated by operation of said switch, switch operating means connected to said shaft, a pair of electric switches in said circuit adapted each to be operated by said switch operating means in sequence and at difierent times relative to each other once for each complete rotation of said shaft, a tab strip feeding mechanism, means for electrically operating said mechanism, a cutting-off mechanism for severing tabs from said strip, an electric means for operating said cutting-off mechanism, one of said pair of electric switches being connected in series with said means for operating said tab strip feeding mechanism and the other switch being connected in series with said electric means for operating the cutting-on mechanism, a second rotatable shaft geared to said first-mentioned shaft with a determined gear ratio, a switch operating disc secured to said second shaft for rotation therewith and having a recess in its periphery, an additional switch in series connection with the first-mentoned of said pair of switches and adapted to be operated by said last-named disc and said last-named switch having an operating lever in contact with the periphery of said disc and positioned to maintain said last-named switch in open circuit except when its operating lever engages in the recess of said disc.

2. The combination of claim 1 including an additional switch operating disc secured to said second shaft for rotation therewith and having a plurality of recesses in its periphery, and an additional switch in electrical series connection with the first-mentioned of said pair of switches and adapted to be operated by said last-named additional switch operating disc and having an operating lever in contact with said last-named periphery and positioned to maintain said lastnamed switch in open circuit except when its operating lever engages in one of the recesses of said last-named additional disc.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said second rotary shaft has a worm gear secured thereto and said first-named shaft has a worm secured thereto, the gear ratio between the worm and said worm gear being one to ten.

4. The combination of claim 1 including a bypass switch for short-circuiting out said additional switch as desired.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said step-by-step rotating mechanism includes a toothed ratchet wheel on said shaft, a solenoid coil, a solenoid plunger, a pivotally supported tooth engaging lever connected to said plunger, and biasing means for drawing said lever into feeding engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said ratchet wheel has fifty teeth.

'7. For use with a machine arranged to, pile sheets at a reception point and having a movable part whose movement is synchronized with the delivery of individual sheets to said point, an electric switch adapted to open and close once for each delivery movement of said part, mechanism for feeding a tab strip to said pile, electric means for actuating said feeding mechanism, mechanismfor cutting a tab from said strip, elec-- .tric means for operating said cutting mechanism at different times relative to said tab strip feeding mechanism, an electric circuit in which said switch and electric means for actuating the tab strip feeding and tab cutting mechanisms are connected, a second switch, in series with said electric means for actuating said tab strip feeding mechanism, a'third switch, in series with said electric means for actuating said tab cutting mechanism, automatic means for periodically closing said second and third switches at different times, said second and third switches being adapted to normally remain in open position, a fourth switch, in series with said second switch and adapted to normally remain in open position, means for periodically closing said fourth switch in synchronism with but at less frequent intervals than said second switch, a by-pass circuit around said fourth switch, and manually controlled means for electrically connecting said fourth switch in series with said second switch and opening said by-pass circuit.

14 8. The combination in accordance with claim 7 including a fifth switch, adapted to normally remain in open position, said switch being connected in the circuit so that it can be either bypassed or connected in series with switch two, automatic means for periodically closing the fifth switch in synchronism with but at less frequent intervals than said second switch and at different intervals from said fourth switch, and manually controlled means for electrically connecting References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,382,998 Kleinschmidt Aug. 21, 1945 2,465,453 Holbrook Mar. 29, 1949 

